Zinc Plated
Zinc Whiskers: Kill Them Before They Kill Your Servers
Zinc whiskers are a common phenomenon when it comes to data and colocation centers (sometimes called ‘data farms’), yet they can go unnoticed for years before they become a nuisance and a serious threat to server machines. To say that the problem ‘grows’ can be somewhat accurate (even though we know zinc is not an organic substance); the whiskers are formed from pressure that eventually lifts off little pieces of zinc from metal to create microscopic threads that get longer and longer over time. Thus the name, ‘zinc whiskers.’ Environmental conditions are not a factor affecting the formation of whiskers, and in most cases they are inevitable (so don’t waste time trying control humidity and such). However, the consequences of not dealing with zinc whiskers proactively in other ways can result in future power failures, circuit shortages, damaged data and decreased reliability when new devices are installed in the data center.
Zinc whiskers form beneath the raised floor in a data center and, when disturbed, usually due to equipment being moved around, they can detach themselves from the metal surfaces they were formed upon to become airborne substances. Once in the air, these metal particles, still capable of conducting electricity, can float around until they land within servers, affecting other metal pieces in there which can be detrimental, especially now that hardware parts are made more and more micro-sized these days, creating perfect crevices for the tiny zinc pieces to nestle in and destroy electronics.
Data centers with floors that are made of wood or concrete and covered with a metallic zinc layer on the bottom of the panels are most at risk. Zinc is commonly used for plating boards to prevent corrosion. Using solid concrete or certain kinds of other metal finishing can often help reduce the chances of zinc whiskers. It is typical of older structures to be more at risk than newer ones, having been built with the former techniques of using wood and concrete. Not only that, age alone can be sufficient to warrant the possibility of zinc whiskers. The whiskers can be seen with the naked eye, though the help of a flashlight and side view to be able to look downward across the surface of the board might be necessary.
There are two solutions to dealing with zinc whiskers. First, if you let the floor boards alone and don’t plan on any rearrangements in your data center, you can rest assured they won’t create a hazard. So long as they are stuck to their metal surfaces, they can’t float around and land where they are unwelcome. If moving equipment is, however, necessary you will have to replace the entire floor. Cleaning the floor boards or coating them is only a temporary solution since nothing can stop the re-growth of zinc whiskers.
To prevent zinc whiskers from being a problem, choose a data center that has a plan in place for dealing with them, or one that uses special filters capable of preventing them from floating onto your server’s electronic components.
About the Author
Saleh Tousi is the CEO of SmarttNet, a Vancouver IT company offering comprehensive business Internet services including
Vancouver colocation
since 1995.
Zinc plating
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Zinc Plated 2-1/2″ Hinges 2pk Chest Cabinet Box $3.19 |
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STANLEY GATE LATCH SP1261 US2C ZINC PLATED FINISH NEW IN PACKAGE WITH SCREWS $5.00 |
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Paint Roller 0.236″ Diameter Zinc Plated Wire Handle Blue $5.20 |
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10.5″ Zinc Plated Wire Cleaning Brush Paint Roller Handle $5.78 |
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M3 x .5 thread zinc plated steel JIS hex nut 1000pc 1000 1M NEW $29.98 |
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TIP LATCH FOR CABINET DOORS, STEEL, ZINC PLATED $9.95 |
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(25) STANLEY CABINET CATCH SP35 US2C STEEL BRIGHT ZINC PLATED $25.00 |
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Crown Bolt 5/16 in. x 5 in. Eye Bolt with Nut Zinc Plated FInish 148451 $4.99 |
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2 EACH LAWRENCE 4″ ZINC MENDING PLATE W/SCRWS $3.99 |
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Stanley SP917 Zinc Plated 2C 4.5″ LATCHING POST SAFETY HASP 81-1910 $3.00 |
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LOT of 4 (four) U BOLTS Zinc Plated 2 x 1-1/2′ Pipe 2 x 1/4″ $0.99 |
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KV #256 PILASTER CLIP, STEEL,ZINC PLATED $4.95 |
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3″x72″ Steel Zinc Plated Hinge – set of 4 $13.98 |
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StanleyHardware Hitching Ring With Plate Zinc 120090 $5.80 |
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200 Pc Spring Assortment Set Zinc Plated Assort.Sizes $13.79 |
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8 New Hager Hinges 4″ x 4″ Full Mortise US-2C Zinc Plated Stock Number 91011 $16.00 |
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NEW National 3-1/4″ Zinc Plated Safety Hasp N102-277 $4.79 |
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National Zinc Plated 3-1/4″ Swivel Staple Safety Hasp $4.79 |
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Brainerd 2-1/2″ Zinc Plated Cabinet Door Hinge 31533 $3.49 |
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Stanley 2-1/2 inch Tarp Rope Hook Zinc Plated 76-6380 $2.00 |
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National 8″ Extra-Heavy Barrel Bolt Zinc Plated Part # N327-437 $9.99 |
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National N128-645 5″ Light Duty Zinc Plated T Hinges Pack (10) $10.80 |
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Silver Tone Zinc Plated Iron Wooden Box Puller Chest Handle 4″ $7.99 |
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Zinc Plated 3-1/2″ x 1-3/8″ Mending Plates 4pk $3.19 |
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STANLEY #SP38 SINGLE ROLLER CABINET CATCH, ZINC-PLATED $9.95 |
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Zinc Plated 1-1/2″ x 3/4″ Corner Braces 4pk $3.19 |
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SHELF REST, FERUM #281,STEEL, 1/4″ SHANK, ZINC PLATED $4.95 |
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3 – Flush Mount Ring Pull 3″ x 3 1/2″ Zinc Plated, up to 100lbs N226-894 $12.00 |
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6 Brainerd 2″ Barrel Bolt B5190 – Zinc Plated $10.00 |
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2 Pro-Twist Drywall Screws, Self-Drill Zinc plated, 6 x 1 1/4″, 1lb. ea $11.00 |
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Lot of 2 Pro-Twist Drywall Screws, Self-Drill Zinc plated, 6 x 1 1/4″, 1lb. ea $15.00 |
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Lawrence 3″ Zinc Plated Chain Bolt C146S $5.99 |
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Lot of 25 ~ 3/8-16 x 5/8″ Long Barrel Tee Nuts~4 Prong T-Nuts~ Zinc Plated $4.00 |
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Lot of 100 ~ 3/8-16 x 5/8″ Long Barrel Tee Nuts~4 Prong T-Nuts~ Zinc Plated $13.50 |
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Stanley 811810 4.5″ Adjustable Staple Safety Hasps Zinc Plated $2.47 |
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GRANT #524-20″ KEYBOARD SLIDES, ZINC PLATED, POLYBAGGED $20.95 |
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GRANT #524-18″ KEYBOARD SLIDES, ZINC-PLATED, POLYBAGGED $19.95 |
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National #N221-002 Zinc Plated 3/8 Inch By 10 Inch Screw Hook – Pk (10) $14.40 |
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( 12 ) 6″ Heavy Duty T- Hinge Zinc Plated $24.99 |
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6″ Brainerd Heavy Duty T- Hinge Zinc Plated Case of 50 $59.99 |
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10.5″ Zinc Plated Wire Cleaning Brush Paint Roller Handle $5.27 |
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4″ Puller Zinc Plated Silver Tone Iron Tool Box Chest Handle $8.21 |
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Stanley 2 inch Flat Corner Braces Zinc Plated 75-6631 $2.00 |
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Stanley 3 inch Zinc Mending Plates 4 Pack 75-5733 $2.75 |
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Stanley 4 inch Zinc Mending Plates 4 Pack 75-5851 $3.25 |
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Stanley 6 inch Zinc Mending Plates 2 Pack 75-6048 $3.00 |
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25xPolished Zinc Plated Cabinet Knob Pull Handle Drawer $23.28 |
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50xPolished Zinc Plated Cabinet Knob Pull Handle Drawer $46.08 |
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National Zinc Plated 3″ Barrel Bolt Gate Door Latch $3.19 |
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Liberty B1800 4″ Heavy Tee HInge Zinc Plated $2.99 |
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Bulk Hardware 100mm Zinc Plated Screw Hook Steel $11.94 |
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Zinc Steel Plated Flat Washers #10 USS (100 pcs) $5.25 |
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Zinc Steel Plated Flat Washers #6 USS (100 pcs) $5.75 |
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Zinc Steel Plated Flat Washers #8 USS (100 pcs) $5.50 |
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Zinc Steel Plated Flat Washers 1″ USS (25 pcs) $15.00 |
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Zinc Steel Plated Flat Washers 1/2 USS (50 pcs) $4.82 |
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Zinc Steel Plated Flat Washers 1/4 USS (100 pcs) $9.95 |
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Zinc Steel Plated Flat Washers 3/4 USS (25 pcs) $5.00 |
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Zinc Steel Plated Flat Washers 3/8 USS (100 pcs) $4.50 |
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Zinc Steel Plated Flat Washers 5/8 USS (25 pcs) $4.00 |
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Zinc Steel Plated Flat Washers 7/16 USS (50 pcs) $6.50 |
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Zinc Steel Plated Flat Washers 7/8 USS (25 pcs) $9.25 |
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Paint Roller 0.236″ Diameter Zinc Plated Wire Handle Blue $5.78 |
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Zinc Plated 1″ x 3/4″ Chair Braces 4pk $3.19 |
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National Zinc Plated 7-1/4″ Extra Heavy Safety Hasp $8.29 |
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KV #136 WALL STANDARD RETAINING SOCKET, ZINC PLATED $16.32 |
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KV #137 WALL STANDARD RETAINING TOP SOCKET, ZINC PLATED $25.60 |
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Brainerd 2″ Zinc Plated Safety Hook & Eye Latch 31977 $3.49 |
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KV #333 SHELF REST, STEEL, ZINC PLATED $22.46 |
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KV #341 CORNER BRACE, STEEL, ZINC PLATED $19.35 |
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KV #342 CORNER BRACE, STEEL, ZINC PLATED $24.58 |
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Stanley 2-Inch Safety Hooks and Eye Zinc Plated 75-0800 2 Packages Per Order NEW $0.99 |
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National Size 10 Zinc Plated Screw Eyes 8pk $3.19 |
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National Zinc Plated Half Turn Buttons Screen Storm $3.19 |
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National Zinc Plated 1-1/2″ Open S Hook 4pk $3.19 |
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Zinc Plated Size #10 Ceiling Hooks 6pk By National $3.19 |
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National Zinc Plated 3″ Screen & Storm Door Hinge 2pk $4.79 |
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National Zinc Plated 2″ Open S Hook 2pk $3.19 |
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National Zinc Plated 1″ Open S Hook 6pk $3.19 |
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National Zinc Plated Barn Shop Door Bumper For 2″ Door $3.19 |
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National Zinc Plated Turn Buttons Screen Storm Door $3.19 |
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Zinc Plated 3″ Hooks & Eyes 2pk By National $3.19 |
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Zinc Plated 1″ Hook & Eyes 2pk $3.19 |
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Zinc Plated Size 8 Ceiling Hooks 3pk By National $3.19 |
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National Size 208 Zinc Plated Screw Eyes 6pk $3.19 |
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National Zinc Plated 3/4″ Open S Hook 8pk $3.19 |
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Zinc Plated 2″ Hook & Eyes 2pk $3.19 |
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National Size 212 Zinc Plated Screw Eyes 10pk $3.19 |
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Zinc Plated 1-1/2″ Hook & Eyes 2pk $3.19 |
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National Zinc Plated Size 6 Ceiling Hooks 3pk $3.19 |
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National Size 112 Zinc Plated Screw Eyes 10pk $3.19 |
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Zinc Plated Size 214-1/2 Screw Eyes 14pk $3.19 |
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Zinc Plated 2-1/2″ x 1-1/2″ Corner Brace $3.19 |
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Zinc Plated 2-1/2″ Hook & Eye 2pk By National $3.19 |
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National Zinc Plated 2-1/2″ Open S Hook $3.19 |
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National Zinc Plated Size 810 Closed S Hook 4pk $3.19 |
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National Zinc Plated 2-1/2″ Barrel Bolt Gate Door Latch $3.19 |
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National Zinc Plated 5-1/2″ Door Window Pull Handle $3.19 |
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Zinc Plated 4″ x 3/4″ Corner braces 4pk. $3.19 |
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Zinc Plated 3/8 x 10-1/2″ Eye Eye Turnbuckle $3.19 |
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Black Plain STARR X Wall Mounted Bottle Opener $6.95 Authentic, original and classic, STARR “X” style bottle openers are perfect for your kitchen, home bar, deck, garage or any other gathering place…. |
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Black Open Bottle Here STARR X Wall Mounted Bottle Opener $5.95 Authentic, original and classic, STARR “X” style bottle openers are perfect for your kitchen, home bar, deck, garage or any other gathering place…. |
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Wall Mounted Open Here Starr X Bottle Opener Bar $6.20 “Open Here” Bottle Opener The perfect addition to your home. This wall mounted bottle opener is fun AND functional. Made from heavy duty die-cast zinc, this classic bottle opener is just the right size to mount in your kitchen or bar. Sure to catch your guests’ attention with the bold, red words “Open Here”…. |
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Crown Bolt 08440 3/8 Inch-16 Coarse Thread Zinc-Plated Hex Nuts, 100-Count $9.57 Sexy Back (4:02)… |
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Hillman Combination Zinc Plated Machine Screws $10.34 Hillman Combination Zinc Plated Machine Screws Combination Phillips/slotted Round Head Box/100 No.12-24×1-1/2 All items sold new in original packaging… |
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One-Piece Clamping Collar, 2-1/2, Zinc Plated Steel One-Piece Clamping Collar 1C-Series, Climax Metal, 2-1/2″ bore, 3-3/4″ outside diameter. Zinc One-Piece Clamping Collar. Design fully engages the shaft without marring. Greater axial holding power than set screw collars. Effective on hard ; soft shafts. 3.75 L. 3.75 W. 0.88 H…. |
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Veridian 05-11810 Heritage Series Chrome-plated Zinc Alloy Pediatric Dual Head Stethoscope, Pink $10.90 Specifically designed and sized to fit the needs of children and infants. durable, chrome-plated die-cast zinc alloy chestpiece with color-coordinated non-chill diaphragm retaining ring (pediatric only) and bell ring for added comfort to the smallest of patients. includes: latex-free pink stethoscope with rotating chestpiece, soft vinyl eartips, and one spare set of mushroom eartips…. |
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Veridian 05-11801 Heritage Series Chrome-plated Zinc Alloy Pediatric Dual Head Stethoscope, Black $10.90 Specifically designed and sized to fit the needs of children and infants. durable, chrome-plated die-cast zinc alloy chestpiece with color-coordinated non-chill diaphragm retaining ring (pediatric only) and bell ring for added comfort to the smallest of patients. includes: latex-free black stethoscope with rotating chestpiece, soft vinyl eartips, and one spare set of mushroom eartips…. |
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Veridian 05-11901 Heritage Series Chrome-plated Zinc Alloy Newborn Dual Head Stethoscope, Black $10.90 Specifically designed and sized to fit the needs of children and infants. durable, chrome-plated die-cast zinc alloy chestpiece with color-coordinated non-chill diaphragm retaining ring (pediatric only) and bell ring for added comfort to the smallest of patients. includes: latex-free black stethoscope with rotating chestpiece, soft vinyl eartips, and one spare set of mushroom eartips…. |
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Hillman 150066 Hex Nut 5/8-18, Zinc Plated Steel (Box of 25) $4.99 “HILLMAN” HEX NUT *Grade 2 *Fine thread *Zinc plated steel *5/8″-18 *Boxed/25… |
This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 14th, 2005 at 7:23 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.